The KDE community announced last evening (March 4th, 2009), in a press release, the immediate availability of the first maintenance release of KDE 4.2. This release is dubbed "Cream" and it brings many bug fixes and improvements, especially for applications such as Okular, Kopete, KMail, JuK, KGpg, KAlarm and KHTML. For a complete list of changes, please visit the official KDE 4.2.1 changelog. And if want to install KDE 4.2.1 on your machine, do not hesitate to use our brand new How to Install KDE 4.2 on Ubuntu 8.10 step-by-step with screenshots tutorial!

Currently, the KDE 4 desktop environment ships with many packages, including web development applications, educational tools, administrative programs and more, all of which are available in over 50 languages. Everyone currently using KDE 4.2.0 is advised to update to the most recent version.

Highlights of KDE 4.2:

· New and improved applets;
· New system and application notifications;
· Efficient and smooth window management;
· New breathtaking desktop effects;
· Easier configuration;
· Tasks can be grouped;
· File manager-like desktop powered by Plasma;
· New and improved tools;
· Smart creation and extraction of archives;
· New and improved printer manager.

About KDE

KDE is a powerful Free Software graphical desktop environment for Linux and Unix workstations. It combines ease of use, contemporary functionality and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Unix operating system. KDE is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. KDE seeks to fill the need for an easy to use desktop for Unix workstations, similar to the desktop environments found under the Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows.

If you want to compile KDE 4.2.1 from sources, download them right now from Softpedia.

The KDE 4 Live CD 1.2.1 is also available for download from Softpedia and it contains KDE 4.2.1.